Judging by the rapid response to the UBP challenging Dr. Brown on Independence and what he really intends, the PLP are aware that this is a real weakness.
Add a referendum to the list of campaign flip-flops for the PLP (St. Georges Police, Southlands, taxi fare hike).
But, there's another tidbit, that for wonks like me who actually care about protocols and conventions, shows yet another crossing of a boundary.
The Premier's Press Secretary position is a quasi-political position, not appointed through the Public Service Commission but one that is not intended for outright partisan political work.
So I was a little surprised that Glenn Jones was out today shilling unabashedly for the PLP, when his is a taxpayer funded position that represents the Premier as his capacity as the leader of the Government, not party:
"The Progressive Labour Party is a party that believes nationhood is in Bermuda's future. And when that day comes, the PLP will be the right choice for leadership.
The press secretary position walks a fine line, but that statement is too much. The taxpayers aren't paying him to spin a party's campaign.
The Bermuda Cabinet Office isn't the White House, full of political appointees, although the consultant racket is the way that has been circumvented. But throughout this campaign Glenn should not be doing party work on the taxpayers dime, or in his capacity as Press Secretary.
That's why I was also a little surprised to see him interviewed in the Bermuda Sun as one of the campaign's spin doctors. Glenn should be speaking on Government matters, and should absolutely not be working - at least during regular business hours - on outright party related statements, such as today's.
That kind of statement should have come from the party PR officer. This creeping politicisation of all things Government needs to be halted.
I know his job depends on the result of the election, but he can always go and write for the PLP Times on December 19th if those taxi drivers exact their revenge.
Posted by Christian S. Dunleavy